Keene State College students may get a break next year when it comes to paying tuition. With 2017 fast approaching, there have been talks that the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) might have funds in their budget to freeze tuition at Keene State College.
“The University System of New Hampshire has submitted its operating budget request to the state legislature,” said Director of Strategic Communications and Community Relations Kelly Ricaurte. According to Keene State’s website, tuition for in-state students is a little under $11,000. For out-of-state students, that number nearly doubles to over $19,000.
Ricaurte also mentioned that with the tuition freeze, USNH is also hoping for funds to increase scholarships for students, lowering their tuition that way. “Our request includes full tuition scholarships for all valedictorians and salutatorians who graduate from the state’s high schools,” said Ricaurte, “as well as new scholarships for New Hampshire students who pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees.”
Even with the possibility of tuition freezing for the 2017-2018 academic year, students have mixed reactions about the freeze.KSC sophomores Nicole Rabito and Ben Sousa said that they would be happy with the tuition freeze, but would like to see more changes.
Sousa said, “I would have liked it if it had gone down a little bit, but since it [could be] freezing, it’s not going up.”
“Since it [could be] freezing, it doesn’t really affect me,” said Rabito. “It’s not costing more and I don’t have to pay more money.”
Although an answer won’t arrive until 2017, the thought of tuition freezing is calming information for students.
Justin Mahan can be contacted at jmahan@kscequinox.com
